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December 21, 2010

Chiaroscuro on Chocolate Block

Chiaroscuro is an Italian word that means light and dark. Da Vinci pioneered the use of chiaroscuro to create the illusion of relief on a two dimensional surface. I practiced the style copying the masters on canvas before but now I came up with the idea of applying it on an 11 pound block of Belgian chocolate to make it look like a fresco that came off the wall. I chose one of Da Vinci's angels for the distinctive smile like the popular one in the Louvre. This will be my second piece. This is a special request from friends who enjoyed the first one. They came away with a piece of the Belgian chocolate happy and still talk about it now and then. They somehow intimated that they want to see it again so I am going to surprise them with another one. This is for the Christmas party. It is made with just 3 ingredients, white and dark chocolate and saffron. The picture weighed about 12 pounds when it was finished with all the additional decorations. A no-bake dessert, just melting, glueing, dabbing and scraping. I used my index finger to dab on the image and some homemade tools. Here's how.
I started of with 2 blocks of Belgian chocolate, white and dark. Melted some of the dark and white in 2 separate melters, about a cup each. When melted I put the dial to warm to always be ready to use. This time I did not use my chocolate tempering machine because there wasn't a lot to melt.
Glued the molding at the top with melted chocolate, of course and carved some design and simulated cracks and wear to make it look like marble. Dabbed some dark chocolate on parts I wanted to be visible. The brush was for clearing the shavings.
Then I started copying the angel from a huge book cover. I dabbed with index finger mostly dark chocolate on white and middle finger with saffron for the yellow hue. The saffron was ground with a few drops of hot water. Scrapped the excess chocolate now an then to get the light and dark effect.
I was careful in making the face and not so much with the rest of the picture for after all it came off the wall with a bit of damage.
The peculiar smile was the hardest to copy for me. I kept scraping and dabbing a lot.

When I finally got the far away look of the angel, I let it stay the same and not try to improve it anymore.
I declared it finished and put it on an easel otherwise I will not stop retouching it! She's now ready to welcome the guests.

28 comments:

  1. What can I say, you are so clever, this is brilliant. I am speechless. Diane

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  2. i am speechless after saw ur creation ihave no words to describe fantastic marvellous wonderfulwhatever is used is less before this

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  3. No words.....Pure admiration.....your art is fantastic!!....Abrazotes, Marcela

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  4. :O Así me has dejao, no me lo puedo creer, espectacular...Bueno, no hay palabras para definir lo ke haces, te kieres casar conmigo jajajajaja

    Muaksssssssss

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  5. I agree -no words can do this justice. I'll say amazing - but that's not enough...

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  6. This is amazing! I have never seen anything like it. Congrats!

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  7. astonishing!! arthur, i suggest next time you put a video to show us how you do that..the 3rd time. Are you guys really going to eat this or eat 'her'??

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  8. Awesome work.The work should be stored not used for consume. congrats you are amazing artist. If possible will you make that sketch in paper and send it to me, I would like to keep that Picture.

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  9. Well done my friend! You are so talented!!

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  10. Hi Lena, I have so many things I'd like to do but don't know how yet. When I have learnt the ropes I'd surely oblige!
    You put the pictures of your children on birthday cakes, don't you?

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  11. WOW you are such a brilliant artist .. so amazing .. :-)

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  12. I think U r really Artist ! :D talented one..

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  13. Wow, I have to say there is no way I could do this. It takes talent, you have it! What a gorgeous creation, I would happily help to eat it with some fabulous wine or coffee. Bravo really.

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  14. OMG this is stunning!!!! I think I couldn't eat this chocolate block, it's too beautiful! :)

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  15. Yes, I agree a video tutorial would be wonderful, but one step at a time is fine. We are willing to wait! This chocolate painting and carving is the touch of a genius, Arthur!

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  16. Eres un verdadero artista que belleza, felicidades.

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  17. This probably deserves to be displayed in some food museum (if there is such a thing). Don't know how common it is that such a thing is created but I have to admit this is the first I have ever seen. Also I admire your humility on how you have simply described the process. Hats off.

    US Masala

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  18. I'm amazed by your art , beautiful. Loved going through your posts

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  19. YOU ARE A GENIUS!

    I wish you a merry Christmas and all the best for 2011
    Hugs and kisses
    barbaraxx

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  20. Sono rimasta a bocca aperta! Hai realizzato un capolavoro da un capolavoro. Questa è arte!! Bravissimo.
    Ricambio affettuosamente gli auguri di un sereno Natale per te ed i tuoi cari.
    Un abbraccio

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  21. Eres un gran artista Arthur, haces cosas increibles con los vegetales, con el chocolate con todos los productos de cocina, ¡fantástico!
    Tienes una imaginacion increible. Nunca habia visto anteriormente a nadie hacer diseño con las verduras y con otros productos de cocina.

    FELIZ NAVIDAD Marimi

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  22. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!i am speechless, For a moment i thought that it was brought from Paris. Then i read, reread , OMG!!!!!!!!u r a great artist indeed!!!!!!!GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  23. Absolutely stunning! I guess I am not surprised to find out that you are an artist beyond food, and a painter no less. I am as well, but I am doubtful of your expertize...
    I hope you had a most wonderful Holiday :)

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  24. This is truly amazing. Great work!
    Wish you a Happy New Year!

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  25. wow...thats amazing ...no words to say..you are really great...very impressive work...eagerly waiting to see more works from you...

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  26. I just shared this with my facebook friends; your talent is immense and I wish I could take lessons from you!

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Art is in the Kitchen

Art is in the Kitchen
Arthur Escoto

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Napa, California, United States